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Abstract:

The present invention provides a miniature, wireless apparatus for
processing physiological signals comprising a signal-receiving element
and a signal-processing element, wherein said signal-receiving element
receives plural of signals input from external sensors and transmits the
signals to said signal-processing element. Then said signal-processing
element divides the receiving-time into n equal intervals and corresponds
each divided time-interval to signals received by one sensor.
The present invention further provides a method for processing
physiological signals comprising receiving the signals by
signal-receiving element, dividing the receiving-time into n equal
intervals by signal-processing element, and corresponding each divided
time-interval to signals received by one sensor.

Claims:

1. An apparatus for processing physiological signal comprising:(a) a
signal-receiving element;(b) a signal-processing element;wherein said
signal-receiving element receives plural of signals input from external
sensors and transmits the signals to said signal-processing element; and
said signal-processing element divides the receiving-time into n equal
intervals and corresponds each divided time-interval to a signal detected
by one sensor; andwherein said signal-receiving element is capable of
sending a feedback signal to said external sensors so that said plural of
signals input from external sensors are received by said signal-receiving
element in a synchronized pattern, and that in turn said external sensors
are finely tuned by said signal-receiving element.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said n is ranged from 1 to
50.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises one or
more signal sensors.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said signal sensor
consists of electrode, amplifier, microcontroller, transceiver module,
and power supply.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said signal receiving
element will guide the signal to the corresponding time-interval if said
transceiver module doesn't send signal at corresponding time-interval.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said transceiver module is
radio interface.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, which further comprises a signal
recorder.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which is carried out by a
micro-computer system including at least one member selected from the
group consisting of personal computer, notebook computer, radio station,
and personal digital assistant.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which can further analyze the
collected data or deliver the collected data to other signal-receiving
elements.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the data analysis is
carried out by sleep-analyzing algorithm and autonomic nervous-analyzing
algorithm.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said signal-receiving
element can further send a feedback signal to said transceiver module in
all of said signal sensors, making said transceiver module send signals
in a synchronized pattern.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said physiological signal
processing apparatus and said signal sensors can be integrated by
system-on-a-chip.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said physiological
signals includes physiological signals transmitted by wired or wireless
tools.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said physiological signal
is human physiological signal.

17. A method for processing physiological signals comprising:(a) receiving
the signals by signal-receiving element; and(b)dividing the
receiving-time into n equal intervals by signal-processing element and
corresponding each divided time-interval to a signal which is detected by
one sensor; andwherein said signal-receiving element is capable of
sending a feedback signal to said external sensors so that said plural of
signals input from external sensors are received by said signal-receiving
element in a synchronized pattern, and that in turn said external sensors
are finely tuned by said signal-receiving element.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, which further comprises a
signal-detecting step by signal sensors.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, which further comprises a
signal-recording step by a signal recorder.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said signal-receiving
element can further send the feedback signal to said transceiver module
in all of said signal sensors, making said transceiver module send
signals in a synchronized pattern.

21. The method as claimed in claim 17, which can be used in evaluation of
sleep quality, diagnosis of sleep obstacles, assessment of effect of
hypnotics, evaluation of side effect to sleep and autonomic nervous
function caused by various drugs, assessment of influences on sleep and
autonomic nervous function due to various regimen and health-improving
methods, evaluation of influences on sleep and autonomic nervous function
caused by taking health food, and assessment of sleeping condition of
elders and new-born infants.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates to a miniature, wireless apparatus for
processing physiological signals and use thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002]Physiological signals such as ECG, EEG, breath, and body temperature
are signs of health. If combine and analyze the above physiological
signals as well as the electromyogram, one can obtain the indications of
sleep and autonomic nervous system. Collection and analysis of these
physiological signals facilitates the understanding and medical
application of numerous medical information. Particularly, the design of
wireless remote measurement can reflect the physiological phenomena with
high accuracy and low interference and provide the important information
for precise understanding of various physiological functions.

[0003]Sleep medicine has underwent a breakthrough in the past five years.
Some chronic sleep-related diseases including obstructive sleep apnea are
getting more and more attention. Many medical researches also indicate
that sleep troubles are probably one of the factors of hypertension. The
number of sleep-related research and clinical examination has remarkably
increased in recent years. It is thus evident that the sleep-related
research is one of the emphases in future medical development. However,
the slow progress of sleep research at present medical environment made
the sleep a key leak in the clinical healthcare. So far, the deficiency
and poor establishment of the long-term monitoring instruments and
analyzing tools resulted in the low willingness of patients as well as
the limitation of the sleep-related medical development.

[0004]The key defects of existing sleep-medicine detecting system are
described as follows: [0005](1) the constraint of traditional wired
system:

[0006]The existing long-term physiological detecting system was mainly
established on the basis of wired transmission technologies. Patients
should paste a lot of electrodes on his or her body parts, and then the
electrodes are connected to the signal amplifier via conducting wire for
digital-to-analog conversion and digital signal processing. It was very
awkward to operate the traditional wired system. The movement of patients
was highly constrained due to the wiring all over the body. Even going to
the toilet was inconvenient under the examination. As a result of all
above disamenities, many patients hesitate to go for examination or
refuse to cooperate with doctors for long-term inspection. [0007](2) the
high price and difficulty of operation of traditional instruments

[0008]Due to the need of professional technicians for operating long-term
physiological signal detection system, the efficiency of sleep
examination in hospitals is low. After a period of training the sleep
examination could be administered smoothly. [0009](3) Recently, a few
wireless instruments are under development, but the convenience of
operation need to be improved.

[0010]Some manufacturers have launched so-called wireless system on the
market, but most of the wireless systems are still limited by the
tiresome conducting wires. The electrodes should be connected to the host
by wire. After amplification and digital-to-analog conversion, the
digital signals are then emitted by microcontroller and radio module. The
whole system must be connected by conducting wires. Although the above
system contributes to some improvement and convenience for the patients,
those wires to some extent still restrict the movement of patients.
Moreover, the wires themselves are the origin of various noise signals,
causing the reduced accuracy of the examination result. In addition, the
existing systems are unable to receive and process different
physiological signals in one channel simultaneously, resulting in the
squander of bandwidth and electricity. The fact that bulky instruments
are not easy to carry is still another problem.

[0011]To sum up, the existing sleep detection systems have some inherent
disadvantages. The conducting wires not only lead to the inconvenience of
patients but inevitably increase the origins of noise signal.
Additionally, these instruments are expensive, difficult to operation,
and too bulky to monitor the patients' condition momentarily. Hence,
developing a totally wireless, inexpensive, and handy physiological
signal recording and examination system for personal operation and
long-term monitoring is necessary and urgent. Then a physiological signal
examination system with more convenience and less noise signals can be
realized for monitoring patients' condition, evaluating the effect of
operation, and further understanding the course of disease.

[0013]The present invention provides a miniature, wireless apparatus for
processing physiological signals comprising a signal-receiving element
and a signal-processing element, wherein said signal-receiving element
receives plural of signals input from external environment and transmits
the signals to said signal-processing element; and said signal-processing
element divides the receiving-time into n equal intervals and corresponds
each divided time-interval to a signal detected by one sensor.

[0014]The present invention further provides a method for processing
physiological signals comprising receiving the signals by
signal-receiving element, dividing the receiving-time into n equal
intervals by signal-processing element and corresponding each divided
time-interval to a signal which is detected by one sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 indicates the apparatus for processing physiological signals
combined with the signal sensor and the signal recorder.

[0040]A chart of the brain waves picked up by the electrodes placed on the
scalp. Changes in brain wave activity can be an indication of REM sleep,
consciousness, and nervous system disorders.

Electrooculogram (EOG)

[0041]EOG is a technique for measuring the resting potential of the
retina. The resulting signal is called the electrooculogram. The main
applications are in ophthalmological diagnosis and in recording eye
movements. Unlike the electroretinogram, the EOG does not represent the
response to individual visual stimuli.

Electromyogram (EMG)

[0042]An electromyogram (EMG) is a test that is used to record the
electrical activity of muscles. When muscles are active, they produce an
electrical current. This current is usually proportional to the level of
the muscle activity. An EMG is also referred to as a myogram.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

[0043]The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a noninvasive test that is
used to reflect underlying heart conditions by measuring the electrical
activity of the heart. By positioning leads (electrical sensing devices)
on the body in standardized locations, information about many heart
conditions can be learned by looking for characteristic patterns on the
ECG.

Firmware

[0044]In computing, firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware
device. It is often provided on flash memory or as a binary image file
that can be uploaded onto existing hardware by a user.

[0045]The present invention provides an apparatus for processing
physiological signal comprising a signal-receiving element and a
signal-processing element. The signal-receiving element receives plural
of signals input from external sensors and transmits the signals to the
signal-processing element. The signal-processing element then divides the
receiving-time into n equal intervals and corresponds each divided
time-interval to a signal detected by one sensor.

[0046]In the present invention, n is ranged from 1 to 50. In the preferred
embodiment, n is ranged from 1 to 30. In the more preferred embodiment, n
is ranged from 1 to 20. In the best embodiment, n is ranged from 1 to 10.

[0047]The present invention further comprises one or more signal sensors
which consist of electrode pair, amplifier, microcontroller, transceiver
module, and power supply.

[0048]The electrode pair of the signal sensor is differential and
comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are
connected to a person under test to collect a pair of physiological
signals.

[0049]The amplifier of the signal sensor comprises a pair of input
filters, a differential amplifier, and an output filter. The
physiological signals collected from the positive electrode and the
negative electrode have noise filtered out by the input filters to
increase the signal-to-noise ratio, and then the physiological signals
are differentially amplified by the differential amplifier. The
differential amplifier attenuates the common mode noise of the pair of
physiological signals, and simultaneously amplifies the differential part
of the pair of physiological signals with appropriate magnification, so
as to match the voltage range of the analog-to-digital conversion of the
microcontroller.

[0050]The output filter filters out an amplified physiological signal that
is over the Nyquist frequency (i.e., twice the sampling frequency of the
analog-to-digital conversion of the microcontroller). Moreover, the
impedance of the input end of the amplifier is larger than 200 kΩ,
so as to prevent the leakage current caused by an operational error. The
input filter and the output filter can be implemented by passive elements
such as resistors or capacitors. The differential amplifier can be
implemented by an operational amplifier or an instrumentation amplifier
of the integrated circuit.

[0051]The microcontroller of the signal sensor comprises an
analog-to-digital conversion unit and a digital signal processing unit.
The analog-to-digital conversion unit performs an analog-to-digital
conversion for the amplified physiological signal generated from the
amplifier with the appropriate voltage resolution and sampling frequency,
and then the digital signal processing unit performs a data compression
for a digital physiological signal generated by the analog-to-digital
conversion unit.

[0052]The transceiver module comprises a wireless transceiver and a
modulator/demodulator. The input end of the transceiver module, being
connected to the microcontroller, is a serial or parallel digital channel
for receiving a digital physiological signal generated from the
microcontroller. Then the modulator modulates the digital physiological
signal compressed by the digital signal processing unit to a modulated
physiological signal with the carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz. The modulated
physiological signal is sent to a far end by the wireless transceiver in
the form of a wireless physiological signal. Meanwhile, the wireless
transceiver also receives a wireless signal from the far end, and then
the wireless signal is demodulated by the demodulator to a digital data
signal, and the digital data signal is transmitted to the microcontroller
through the digital channel. The wireless signal sent from the far end
comprises a control signal of the signal sensors and an acknowledgement
signal sent by a signal-receiving element of the far end. The transceiver
module performs wireless transmission and reception using the
international industry, science, and medical (ISM) exclusive frequency
band.

[0053]The signal receiving element of the apparatus provided in the
present invention will guide the signal to the corresponding
time-interval if the transceiver module doesn't send signal at
corresponding time-interval. This guiding function makes it possible to
corresponding detected signals from different sensors to the
corresponding time-interval accurately. Therefore, a highly precise
signal recording can be realized.

[0054]In the present invention, the radio interface is used as the
transceiver module of signal sensor. The radio interface not only
converts the digital physiological signals into radio signals as well as
sending them but receives the radio signals inputted from outside.

[0057]There are many open circuits of above sensors for free use and
reference, including the collection of electro-signals, body temperature,
blood oxygen concentration, and the circumference of thorax.

[0058]The apparatus provided by present invention further comprises a
remote signal recorder. The remote signal recorder is hard disc, floppy
disc, miniature hard disc, or flash memory card which records and saves a
large number of various processed physiological signals via wireless
transmission for further analysis.

[0059]The apparatus provided by the present invention is carried out by
micro-computer system such as personal computer, notebook computer, radio
station, or personal digital assistant, which can further analyze the
collected data or deliver the collected data to other signal-receiving
elements. Additionally, the results of analysis can be transmitted to
other micro-computer systems via the internet. The apparatus provided by
the present invention also collects, saves, and transmits the sleeping
data as a peripheral device of a portable computer system. Data analysis
in the present invention is carried out by sleep-analyzing algorithm and
autonomic nervous-analyzing algorithm.

[0060]The signal-receiving element of the apparatus can further send a
feedback signal to transceiver module in all of signal sensors, making
the transceiver module send signals in a synchronized pattern. The
synchronization favors the subsequent comparison and calculation in
signal analysis and therefore a more accurate evaluation and diagnosis
can be obtained.

[0061]In the present invention, the physiological signal processing
apparatus can be further integrated into the signal sensors. By the
concept of System-on-a-Chip (SoC), various functions including signal
detection, reception, and processing can be totally integrated on a
single chip set. Consequently, the trend of miniaturization and
multi-function in electronic instruments can be realized. The radio
signals emitted by other signal sensors can be simultaneously collected,
combined, and saved in the remote signal recorder by the integrated
system. An entirely wearable physiological signal monitoring system can
be obtained. All the wireless physiological signal sensors and the signal
recorder are put on the patient so that one can go around at will.
Moreover, all kinds of physiological signals such as EEG and ECG under
sleeping can be analyzed with minimum disturbance to the activities of
daily livings. The system can be used to monitor the course of chronic
diseases and to evaluate the effects of operation, the sleeping quality,
and the autonomic nervous function.

[0062]The present invention further provides a method for processing
physiological signals comprising a step of receiving the signals and a
step of dividing the receiving-time into n equal intervals by
signal-processing element and corresponding each divided time-interval to
a signal which is detected by one sensor.

[0063]In the present invention, n is ranged from 1 to 50. In the preferred
embodiment, n is ranged from 1 to 30. In the more preferred embodiment, n
is ranged from 1 to 20. In the best embodiment, n is ranged from 1 to 10.

[0064]The method provided by the present invention can be used to
synchronously collect the signals emitted by several signal sensors in a
single frequency channel. In addition to the efficient use of limited
bandwidth, the method combined with the existent digital wireless
transmission technologies would reaches the optimized application. Due to
the simplified structures, the synchronous data-collection can be carried
out in a more power-saving condition.

[0065]The method provided by the present invention further comprises a
signal-detecting step by signal sensors and a signal-recording step by a
signal recorder. The signal-receiving element can further send a feedback
signal to the transceiver module in all of the signal sensors, making
transceiver module send signals in a synchronized pattern.

[0066]The method provided by the present invention can be combined with
wireless physiological detection technology, synchronous
emission/receiving technology, synchronous recording/saving technology,
and sleep-analyzing algorithm in order to fulfill a totally wireless and
simple-to-use physiological signal monitoring system for accurate and
real time analysis. The monitoring system can be used in evaluation of
sleep quality, diagnosis of sleep obstacles, assessment of effect of
hypnotics, evaluation of side effect to sleep and autonomic nervous
function caused by various drugs, assessment of influences on sleep and
autonomic nervous function due to various regimen and health-improving
methods, evaluation of influences on sleep and autonomic nervous function
caused by taking health food, and assessment of sleeping condition of
elders and new-born infants.

[0067]While the invention has been described and exemplified in sufficient
detail for those skilled in this art to make and use it, various
alternatives, modifications, and improvements should be apparent without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0068]One skilled in the art readily appreciates that the present
invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends
and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The
processes and methods for producing them are representative of preferred
embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the
scope of the invention. Modifications therein and other uses will occur
to those skilled in the art. These modifications are encompassed within
the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the claims.

EXAMPLES

[0069]The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by
way of limitation.

Example 1

Synchronous Signal Collection by Multiple Wireless Sensors

[0070]Various signal sensors 10 were pasted on the particular body parts
for collecting different physiological signals. The wireless
electroencephalogram sensor 100 was put on forehead for collecting EEG
The wireless electrooculogram sensor 101 was put on the canthus for
collecting EOG The wireless electromyogram sensor 102 was put on the
corners of the mouth or chin for collecting EMG The wireless temperature
sensor 103 was put beneath the nostrils for collecting the temperature of
breath as a indication of snort. The wireless electrocardiogram sensor
104 was put on the chest for collecting ECG The miniature tension sensor
105 was put on the pectoral for evaluating the respiratory function. The
blood oxygen saturation sensor 106 was put on the finger for detecting
the blood oxygen saturation. The miniature acceleration sensor 107 was
put on the body or legs for collecting accelerative signals as a
quantitative indication of movement pr postures.

Example 2

Signal Receiving of Multiple Wireless Sensors

[0071]In order to obtain a high-quality result of physiological signal
analysis, the signals of multiple signal sensors 10 should be emitted and
received in a synchronous manner. In the present invention, the firmware
was embedded on the microcontroller 13 of every signal sensor 10. Not
only the transceiver module 14 was involved in the present invention but
the signal receiving element 21 received all the emitting signals and
carried out the synchronous control. Furthermore, flash memory was built
in the signal sensor 10 of the present invention for extended storage of
the collected physiological signal and increased flexibility.

Example 3

Signal Recording of Multiple Wireless Sensors

[0072]The signals collected by the signal sensors 10 were transmitted to
signal-receiving element 21 by wireless transmission, or recorded in the
remote signal recorder 30 of signal sensors 10. In spite of the
convenience brought by the wireless transmission, the wireless signal
transmission was prohibited in many places such as hospitals.
Interferences in the environment may also reduce the quality of wireless
signal transmission. The signal recorder 30 of the present invention
contained a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory for recording various
physiological signals. Even if the power failure or poor signal
transmission occur, the signals recorded by the signal recorder 30 will
not be affected. The flexibility of use and the possibility of long-term
signal collection of were further increased by the continuity of the
recording function provided by the physiological signal monitoring
system.

Example 4

The Principle of Signal Processing of Multiple Wireless Sensors

[0073]The signal-processing element 22 in the signal processing apparatus
20 divided the receiving-time into n equal intervals and assigned numbers
to the intervals. In the best embodiment, there are eight different
signal sensors 10 so the signal-processing element 22 divided the
receiving-time into eight equal time intervals and each of the intervals
was assigned from 0 to 7 (FIG. 4). Each time interval could only receive
signals emitted from one particular signal sensor 10. For instance, time
interval 0 could only receive the signals emitted from the signal sensor
100; time interval 1 could only receive the signals emitted from the
signal sensor 101; time interval 2 could only receive the signals emitted
from the signal sensor 102, and so forth.

[0074]If any one of the signal sensors 10 failed to send signals at
corresponding time-interval, the signal receiving element 21 will guide
the signal to the corresponding time-interval. In addition, the
signal-receiving element 21 could further send a feedback signal to the
transceiver module 14 in all of the signal sensors 10, making the
transceiver module 14 send signals in a synchronized pattern. The whole
course of synchronization was conducted by the signal receiving element
21, and all of the signal sensors 10 were also finely tuned by the signal
receiving element 21. Accordingly, the signals could be still kept in a
perfectly synchronized pattern even after a long-term recording.